My Houzz: A Small But Perfectly Formed Family Cottage in the UK
Packed with personality, this small renovated home in London reflects the tastes of its owners in the smallest details
When Anna Burles and her business partner and husband Chris Trotman bought this house, they weren’t expecting it to become their home. As owners of Run For The Hills, they specialise in commercial and residential developments, and they thought they’d do this property up and sell it.
“Things didn’t go to plan because we fell in love with it,” Burles says. She has kitted the home out in ice-cream shades and fascinating vintage finds. Cosy, but able to accommodate a family of four, its location – just 10 minutes from the couple’s office – is unbeatable. “We’d rather compromise on size than location,” she adds.
“Things didn’t go to plan because we fell in love with it,” Burles says. She has kitted the home out in ice-cream shades and fascinating vintage finds. Cosy, but able to accommodate a family of four, its location – just 10 minutes from the couple’s office – is unbeatable. “We’d rather compromise on size than location,” she adds.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Anna Burles and Chris Trotman of Run for the Hills and their two young children
Location: West London, UK
Property: A Victorian worker’s cottage in a conservation area
Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Designer: Anna Burles
Photos by Rachael Smith
Now sporting a light-filled extension and open layout downstairs, this 19th-century cottage has certainly seen a lot of changes. But its latest transformation wasn’t all plain sailing, as Burles explains. “Because we’re in a conservation area, there were loads of restrictions – we couldn’t do bi-fold doors onto the garden, for example. It was quite a challenge to still make it what we wanted.” Skylights were given the green light by planning, and these ensure plenty of natural light flows through the open-plan ground floor. “It’s south-facing as well, which has a massive impact on light,” Burles says.
In the kitchen area, an island unit with a zinc benchtop is joined to a vintage plan chest. “We wanted the chest to face into the living and dining area so the island wouldn’t feel like a kitchen unit,” Burles adds.
Who lives here: Anna Burles and Chris Trotman of Run for the Hills and their two young children
Location: West London, UK
Property: A Victorian worker’s cottage in a conservation area
Size: 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Designer: Anna Burles
Photos by Rachael Smith
Now sporting a light-filled extension and open layout downstairs, this 19th-century cottage has certainly seen a lot of changes. But its latest transformation wasn’t all plain sailing, as Burles explains. “Because we’re in a conservation area, there were loads of restrictions – we couldn’t do bi-fold doors onto the garden, for example. It was quite a challenge to still make it what we wanted.” Skylights were given the green light by planning, and these ensure plenty of natural light flows through the open-plan ground floor. “It’s south-facing as well, which has a massive impact on light,” Burles says.
In the kitchen area, an island unit with a zinc benchtop is joined to a vintage plan chest. “We wanted the chest to face into the living and dining area so the island wouldn’t feel like a kitchen unit,” Burles adds.
The kitchen has a utilitarian look. Floating shelves display pretty enamel pieces and jars with labels designed by Burles’ graphic designer/artist husband.
Burles went for an off-the-shelf kitchen, customising the units with handles made from fossilised wood. “My husband Chris almost lost it when he found out how much they were, but they really did transform the units,” she says. The room is peppered with timeless glass and enamel pieces.
The ground floor is completely open-plan, with the kitchen at the back, the dining area leading off the kitchen and then a living space at the front. Because of this, there’s an uninterrupted view from the back to the front of the house, which is great for a young family. “I can be cooking in the kitchen and still keep an eye on the kids when they’re causing mayhem in the front,” Burles says.
The floor in the dining area is limewashed. “It’s a bit dark, but it still bounces the light around the room,” Burles says. A pretty lace tablecloth, antique candelabra and vintage chairs contrast with the modern prints on the wall. “We love juxtaposing vintage one-off pieces with more contemporary design,” Burles adds.
The floor in the dining area is limewashed. “It’s a bit dark, but it still bounces the light around the room,” Burles says. A pretty lace tablecloth, antique candelabra and vintage chairs contrast with the modern prints on the wall. “We love juxtaposing vintage one-off pieces with more contemporary design,” Burles adds.
The shell on the table is actually made of resin. Burles found the pendant light (one of a pair) on a trip to Paris with Chris. “They are really heavy and Chris was furious that we ended up carrying them around Paris. But if you find something you love, you’ve just got to get it. Don’t wait, don’t think about it, don’t hope you’ll find it again,” she says.
Soft pink walls and velvet upholstery create a soothing mood in the living area at the front of the cottage.
There are all sorts of vintage items dotted around the house.
The drinks cabinet used to be a medicine cabinet and the pelican lamp was originally just an ornament, but was converted by an antiques shop on London’s Golborne Road. “The Indian cow’s head was sent to me in the post as a thank you from an intern,” Burles says.
The drinks cabinet used to be a medicine cabinet and the pelican lamp was originally just an ornament, but was converted by an antiques shop on London’s Golborne Road. “The Indian cow’s head was sent to me in the post as a thank you from an intern,” Burles says.
Clever design ideas include using the space under the stairs, just off the dining area, as a compact home office. The tiled kitchen floor was designed by Burles.
The main bedroom has a mix of high-street and vintage pieces. “It’s the equivalent of a fashionista never wearing top-to-toe designer or top-to-toe high street – you have to mix and match,” Burles says. Soft textiles and a feathered pendant emphasise the stark texture of the animal skull mounted above the bed.
A 1960s sideboard is a handy place to display more intriguing objects, including an antique fan and another animal skull.
“Vintage pieces are what makes a place feel unique,” Burles says. “I always spend more on pieces I’m going to take from house to house rather than trend-led pieces, since you’ll probably fall out of love with them in a couple of years.”
“Vintage pieces are what makes a place feel unique,” Burles says. “I always spend more on pieces I’m going to take from house to house rather than trend-led pieces, since you’ll probably fall out of love with them in a couple of years.”
A warm mauve-grey colour provides a relaxing backdrop to the less conventional pieces in the main bedroom. “A lot of people describe our look as a bit quirky,” Burles says. “I’d say it’s creative.”
Burles found a matching pair of bedside tables in a vintage shop on London’s Wandsworth Bridge Road. The wall light looks vintage, but is actually new.
The spatially-challenged bathroom had been dominated by a full-sized bath, so Burles sourced a smaller option. “I found one that was 1,200 millimetres and reorientated it under the window instead of it running the full length of the room.” The vanity unit is a customised media cabinet and the bright, almost neon yellow ceiling (just seen) is a fun touch. “I was really keen on floor-to-ceiling tiles, but if I did it again I’d have something that breathes a bit more I think.”
The dressing room (now the children’s bedroom) epitomises the old-meets-new vibe of the cottage with a bright pink clothes rail and vintage drawing.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
Tell us
What do you love about this home? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
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Lots of fun, quirky details!
beautiful paint colors! Also like that Burles is honest and quick to admit things she might have done differently.
This is a comfortable space all around.